NCJ Number
137326
Date Published
1989
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Broad estimates of the extent of domestic violence in Australia suggest that the behavior is widespread and affects possibly one in three families.
Abstract
Although it is difficult to estimate the extent of domestic violence due to lack of suitable data, Australian surveys of community attitudes indicate that respondents believe domestic violence includes pushing, shoving, kicking, choking, smashing an object near a person, threatening to hit, and using a weapon to inflict physical injury. One report categorizes domestic violence as psychological, emotional, or verbal abuse involving threats, harassment, or denigrating the spouse's capacity as a housewife, mother, or person; social abuse involving social isolation derived from geographic isolation; economic abuse involving control by the husband or male partner of financial resources; and sexual abuse. In 1986-1987, 25 percent of all offenses against the person reported to the police in New South Wales occurred in a private dwelling; 43 percent of homicides between 1968 and 1981 in New South Wales were within the family. Costs and consequences of and attitudes toward domestic violence are examined as well as surveys of victims and perpetrators. Legislating against and policing domestic violence are also discussed along with the importance of educating the public. 25 references, 2 tables, and 3 figures